A Bond without Blood

Elijah

I see her eyes fly open, shock at my confirmation plastered on her face. Her heart is thumping loudly, and she is taking short, heavy breaths as she stares at me.

She runs a hand jerkily through her short black hair as she scans the ground as if looking for an answer.

"No…" Her expression begins to morph from shock to anger. "You two are stepsiblings and have been so for the last eight years. This is disgusting and messed up! It's so wrong!" Indigo shouts, glaring at me.

This is the first time she has raised her voice at me, the first time she has argued with me, and it hurts. Knowing that I'm fucking hurting her, but also that she thinks we're disgusting.

"I know we're stepsiblings, but it means nothing. It's not like our parents are meant to be together. They aren't fated mates," I growl. Feeling the rage of my wolf, who is annoyed at her speaking so disrespectfully towards me. I don't know why, but he's never cared when Scarlett is disobedient. Is it because she's an alpha?

Indigo laughs dryly. "No, they aren't, but neither are you and Scarlett, so how can you two be so selfish? They beat you to it and are together. This could tear them apart in so many ways. It could hurt them, ruin their reputation, and what about the pack? What will they think of this incestuous relationship?" Indigo asks, trembling under my Alpha aura that is cloaking us.

"Come on, Pixie, is it so wrong to love someone?" I ask, softening my voice when I see the glint of fear in her eyes. I know she has a point, even if I don't want to admit it. I can't blame Dad for choosing Jessica when I don't fucking care for the mate bond, even if that is because of how he handled his.

"It's wrong when she's your sister," her voice is harsh, and I tilt my head, stepping closer to her when she steps back and raises a hand.

"Don't come near me."

"Indy…" I run my fingers through my tussled hair. "Look, you're not wrong about that, but I love her and I'm making her my Luna. To hell with what the pack or anyone else thinks. It doesn't matter. Love has no fucking boundaries," I say sharply.

"Eww, yes it does. So, you're promising her to be your Luna? Have you even told her you love her? Can you even be serious about a woman, Elijah? I'm sorry. You're my- well, I considered you my brother-"

"I still fucking am." My eyes flash and her face softens. I see her lips turn downwards, she's fighting back tears. "I need you to know you will never lose me, Pixie. I know it's fucked up, but you are my little sister. Fuck!"

"Exactly how?! When you hate your dad for accepting Mama? How do you think I am your sister? It's because they chose one another! When you keep bringing that up, how do you think I feel?" Her voice breaks, and she glares at me angrily through her tears.

She hates crying and right now she's confused, and I can't blame her.

"I know that, and it's not that-"

"No, you said it! You're going to ruin our family!"

"Indy, listen to me." My command makes her go quiet as she stands there shaking with rage. "I am not going to ruin anything. Why can't Red and I be together and Jessica and Dad?"

"Because it's not normal," she whispers.

"I know. But I'm not going to change my mind. She's the only woman I will consider making my Luna," I vow.

"You will? What about when your fated mate comes in front of you? Will you break Scarlett's heart, too? And what about her mate? Do you think she'd choose you over him?" Indigo asks tearfully.

"I will reject my mate," I say with confidence, but her words have made something in my stomach knot. Will Scarlett do the same? Because I also know only her fated mate can remove Zidane's mark, too.

Will I let her go? Just the thought of it makes my heart clench and makes me feel consumed by rage. "Who knows, she could be my mate. My wolf likes her…" I try to reason quietly when everyone knows there are no hints people are mates until the Blood Moon.

"I'm only fourteen and I don't know as much as you, but I do know that this can go terribly wrong. You two should at least wait till the Blood Moon, let the mating ceremony come and see if your mates appear," she says softly, but it's the look of pity in her eyes that irritates me.

"I don't think so. We're too deep in to back out. I would do anything for her, Indy. She's become my fucking world, and I don't even know when or how it happened."

She nods slowly, and I wish I wasn't hurting her.

"Whatever you think is best," she whispers, turning away. "You are the Alpha."

"Indy…" I begin with a sigh.

"I won't tell anyone," she reassures me, stepping back as she turns away.

I shake my head. "I know you won't, but that's not it." I step forward, closing the gap between us and taking her upper arm, turning her to face me. Seeing the unshed tears in her eyes, I raise an eyebrow. "Now, this is not the Indigo I know," I add, cupping her face, and crouching down so I'm level with her height. Although she is taller than Scarlett, she will always be the little one.

"Hm," she mumbles.

"I'll always be your big brother, Pixie. I've always seen you as my kid sister. I never saw Scarlett as my sister, not even when Dad first got married to Jessica. I just never had that ‘sisterly' feeling for her and now I guess I know why. I realise now I probably always somewhat had a crush on her… and you- I always saw you as my sister. This changes nothing between us. You'll always be my favourite sister," I promise, brushing away her tears. She raises her eyebrows, scoffing.

"You just said you only have the one, so that's not saying much," she retorts. I smirk.

"Maybe, but it doesn't mean you aren't special to me, Pixie. I don't want this to change things between us."

Sighing, she looks at me. "It's gross though. She's my sis and I see you as my brother. This is so yuck," she says, shivering as if just the thought was off-putting. I raise an eyebrow.

"A girl always finds anyone being with their brother gross anyway, so that's nothing new," I remind her. She's gagged and shuddered whenever she's caught me in a compromising position.

She pouts before huffing, and I give her a tight bear hug.

"I don't know how I'm going to get used to this, but I'll try to accept it. I'm warning you two, if either of you pushes me too far, I'll tell Mama and Dad," she warns me, her eyes sparkling suddenly, and I instantly realise what's going through her mind. I narrow my gaze.

"Don't you dare use this against Red," I warn. She's already dealing with a lot of shit. It sounds almost like a growl, but I made sure to control my Alpha authority from oozing into my words. Indigo frowns, a glimmer of surprise on her face.

"So now you're Team Scarlett? Urgh, I hate this!" she yells suddenly. Pulling free from my hold, she stomps off back towards home.

"Oh, come on, Pixie, you know that's not it…" I say, although it's kind of is, I guess. Can't I be Team Both?

"Whatever!" she shouts back, but I'm relieved when I see the glimpse of a smile on her face. She's about to stomp off when I take hold of her arm.

"Not a word to Red that you know, alright?" She's already going through a lot.

She nods slowly before shoving my hand away and stomps off.

I begin jogging to catch up to her, and she begins running, but although I could catch up to her, I let her claim the lead.

Indigo

"What are you doing?" I ask Scarlett as I lean in the kitchen doorway, crossing my arms.

"Cooking, remember? Grandma Amy will be here tonight," she answers, pushing back her hair.

I observe her intently, trying to see what Elijah sees in her, and scoff. I swear if he's doing this because she has boobies and an ass; I swear I will kick him in the balls.

"What's with the scoff?" Scarlett narrows her eyes.

"Just wondering if asking you to cook was the smart thing to do," I lie.

She rolls her eyes, and I saunter into the kitchen, shutting the door behind me smoothly.

"Right, but can you at least see if Mama needs anything to eat?

"Did you speak to her?" I ask.

"Not yet, but I will soon."

"Hmm," I reply, but don't let on that I know her secret, knowing Elijah didn't want to stress her out. It's weird enough for him to like her and now he also cares for how she feels. It is too strange.

If I can't tell Scarlett that I know, then I will act like normal and annoy Scarlett like always!

"What's that?" I ask, catching a glimpse of the black mark on her neck. She quickly covers it.

"Nothing for you to worry about."

I frown. "Ok…" I hate how everyone treats me like a damn kid. "Wicked Witch." I stick my tongue out, earning a glare from her.

I don't want things to change. Not now, not ever. I mean, I don't want to always be treated like a child, that's what I'd change.

"Scar…"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think Mama accepted Dad's advances back then because she was afraid that if she refused, he'd kick us out or something?"

Scarlett freezes as she turns to me sharply. "What?"

I look around and cross my arms protectively. I do it a lot and I can't stop myself from feeling insecure at times.

"You heard me. Mama had been through so much trauma, but she quickly moved on…"

Scarlett looks down thoughtfully at the tray she's holding.

"I don't think she was afraid, I think she welcomed the safety blanket. Dad was the opposite of Zidane; he gave Mama the attention Zidane never did. He cared for her and showed her kindness. Anyone would be attracted to that, and he offered us a home, a pack; she probably did, to some level, see that." Scarlett muses thoughtfully.

"So, you think she did genuinely want him?"

"Oh absolutely, she loves him and he loves her."

I nod slowly and look at her. "Do you think you would ever do that? Like, accept someone for the safety they offer or the attention they give if you're deprived of it?"

She scoffs. "I wish," she mutters. "I wouldn't. I would- I would choose someone who makes me feel like I'm the only person in the world, someone who can rock my entire world, make me smile yet annoy the heck out of me, too. Someone who doesn't need to be perfect because I sure as hell am not. Someone who makes me feel like I'm all that matters."

"Eww." I shudder as Elijah's face comes to my mind.

She cocks a brow. "Excuse me?"

"Nothing, I was just imagining you dating," I lie. "Now, don't waste time, slave, get cooking, chop-chop."

"Hey!"

Snickering, I stalk out of the kitchen, shutting the door before Scarlett can reach me. I exhale and can't help but smile slightly. Yeah, I think Scarlett knows what she wants.

That makes me feel better. Now I better go fill Daniel in. I know Elijah said don't tell anyone, but Daniel is my bestie, and we don't have secrets. Besides, what's hanging without some gossip?